Current Exam is too Old

SCJP 1.4, SCWCD<p>Ours is a world where people don't know what they want and are willing to go through hell to get it.<br /> - Don Marquis

R.x Lan

Ranch Hand

Posts: 83

posted 13 years ago

I think it is better to wait for the new version exam. But when? [ June 15, 2004: Message edited by: Rixin Lan ]

(SCJP SCWCD SCBCD SCDJWS)

Peter Storch

Ranch Hand

Posts: 74

posted 13 years ago

It's my impression too. There are just too many new things out there: UML2, MDA, J2EE 1.4 (not mentioning the upcoming big changes in EJB 3.0), all the web services hype, AOP, many new and revised patterns ... There are too many new technologies influencing your architectural decisions.

I was already preparing for this exam, but I more and more doubt it's worth doing it.

Any other suggestions? Did someone pass it recently and found it helpfull / worth doing?

Cedric Dumont

Greenhorn

Posts: 1

posted 13 years ago

Will The new Version of the exam test the J2EE 1.4 Spec and When? Is it a good idea to start learning the new specification now and hope it will be released within one year? => I Think yes.

Ramon Gill

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Posts: 344

posted 13 years ago

I also have a problem in that I passed part 1 some time ago. If the new changes come in before I've done part 2, where do I stand?

By the way, I haven't even started part 2 yet.I was thinking of tackling the web services exam first.

I agree. The current exam is not just old, it has been beaten to death. Most of the candidates know *almost everything* about the assignment even before they download it - if one can spend time crawling the web, there is no shortage of blatant open discussions that compromise the content. Often drawing the line between what is acceptable and what is very subject and not without controversies( see my post about discussing part II questions).

The exam is very old. There are no variations in the assignment(it is beyond my comprehension why Sun cannot rollout new assignment tests ) and as many of you have pointed out, the rest of the J2EE world has seen so many new advancements and approaches, that it seems like eons since this test was created by Sun. I think all of these put together make taking the SCEA test less fun, less challenging and gives even more reasons for the cynics who question the value of certification.

I am certainly not discouraging people from taking the current SCEA test. Whether or not one wishes to wait for the next release should be a personal decision( and of course, if your boss is going to pick up the tab, why do you care? ). There has been no official word about the "new test", although it is beyond my doubt that its focus will be on Web services. For those of you who want to spend time sharpening the axe before hitting the tree, checkout the WS certification forum for a ton of fun stuff.

Cheers, [ June 22, 2004: Message edited by: Ajith Kallambella ]

Open Group Certified Distinguished IT Architect. Open Group Certified Master IT Architect. Sun Certified Architect (SCEA).

Dave Knipp

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Posts: 146

posted 13 years ago

I agree 100%. I was actually going to start on the architect exam right after the scbcd, but decided against it because it was so out of date and becaues it doesnt even use EJB 2.0! There's no point to learning an old specification of any technology, except for converting old code to new code, which isn't enough to make me do the test now. I did hear that updating the SCEA is on the list to do, but won't be out for another year.

I started the Certificate after the SCJD but I put it on hold so I can do a degree. Now I am back, this is not the news I want to hear. But then again, at least the exam is easy to complete. I just want a job in IT, because road sweeper culture is getting me down, I want to be with other geeks.

Parag Doshi

Ranch Hand

Posts: 317

posted 13 years ago

I had a question. Does the current certification level only support J2ee 1.2? I mean, what's stoppping me to architect a solution based on the latest version of J2ee. The requirements speak of submitting a J2ee based solution. it does not mention what version we should be using. Am I missing something?

Thanks, Parag

Gerald Davis

Ranch Hand

Posts: 872

posted 13 years ago

I believe most people in this forum would say, Since the Assignment does not say what version must be used, you can use any version that you see fit. It might be a good idea to document why you used the version you did. as one of your assuptions.